AW169 chosen by Magpas Air Ambulance

UK-based Magpas Air Ambulance has selected the AW169 as its new generation helicopter. Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) will customise the aircraft with an advanced medical interior and will operate the helicopter on behalf of Magpas Air Ambulance, providing pilots and maintenance services.

Daryl Brown, CEO, Magpas Air Ambulance said: “We are delighted to be working with Leonardo Helicopters and Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) towards the delivery of a new AW169, to replace our current aircraft in the spring of 2019. The current Magpas Air Ambulance MD 902 Explorer entered service 17 years ago and has been with Magpas Air Ambulance since June 2012. Whilst the current model has flown to thousands of patients over the last six years and has helped the charity respond to its highest number of activations ever, in 2017; it is now coming to the end of its operational life. Following intensive research, Magpas selected the AW169 helicopter, with the most advanced aviation technology, to become the new Magpas Air Ambulance. We recently launched a two-year appeal to raise £1.5 million and bring this new state of the art AW169 helicopter to the East of England and beyond. The new aircraft will be able to fly further, faster and allow the lifesaving service to reach an even greater number of patients.”

Henk Schaeken, Managing Director, Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) said “Magpas Air Ambulance is a key provider of emergency medical response in the East of England and we are delighted to maintain our close working relationship with them as they launch the extra live-saving capability which the AW169 is proving it can deliver.”

SAS has placed orders for 12 AW169s and is also an Authorized Service Centre for the AW169 in the UK, providing a range of support and maintenance services to AW169 customers. SAS has also recently been appointed as an Authorised Service Centre for the AW139 to support the growing number of customers in the UK that are operating the type.